TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: Icons for Cautions, Warnings From:Kristi L Koscianski <kosc0001 -at- GOLD -dot- TC -dot- UMN -dot- EDU> Date:Wed, 16 Nov 1994 15:53:54 -0600
On Wed, 16 Nov 1994, Chris Dresden/HQ/3Com wrote:
> I need opinions on what other companies use as icons for cautions and warnings
> in their manuals. As background, our cautions contain directions that you
must
> follow to avoid immediate system damange or loss of data. Warnings contain
> directions that you must follow for your personal safety.
> For cautions we use an exclamation point inside an inverted triangle.
> For warnings we use a lightning bolt inside a triangle.
> Some of the compliance engineers say there is no recognized symbol for
cautions
> and that we are misusing the warning symbol by inverting the triangle.
> ISO recommends a triangle for a general safety alert. The symbol inside the
> triangle is specific to the danger. I couldn't find any symbol cautions.
> Any and all opinions are welcome.
> Thanks
I am working on a project for the State of MN. We are writing on-line
help for PeopleSoft software.In the on-line help we have many warning
statements and the icon we use is the palm of a hand, symbolizing stop,
with the word warning in red above it.
